Storytelling vs. a List of Things That Happened: There is a Difference

We've all been there. Someone says, "Let me tell you a story," you settle in, expecting something engaging. Then what you get is... well, a list of things that happened. While hearing about someone's day is excellent, let me clarify: a list of things that happened is not a story.

Stop the Fatigue: Benefits-Based Messaging in Internal Communication

It is midway through 2024, and we are all tired. The rate of change, pressures on our time, and world events have exhausted us. Business news is just coverage of AI, with little room for creativity or new ways of thinking about how we work or would like to work. According to a New Yorker…

Strategic Future Narrative: Connecting Past, Present, and Future Goals

Organisations seek to innovate, adapt, and envision new futures in our fast-paced business landscape. Effective communication of these future visions can feel daunting in the hustle and bustle of day-to-day operations. While communication departments are adept at crafting engaging messages and disseminating information, they can face significant hurdles when envisioning a future that has yet…

Audience First: Where Acting, Storytelling, and Leadership Play Supporting Roles

I was sitting in a row of red theatre chairs at the Producers Club in Times Square. I had just finished two weeks of acting training in NYC, and we were reflecting on all we had been through as a class. The Miesner trainer leaned forward from his seat on the stage and asked, "Do…

Sticky Power: Become an Everyday Storyteller

In the world of storytelling, we glorify narratives of the extraordinary - epic adventures, heroic feats, and life-altering events that seem to lie outside our everyday existence. However, the true power of storytelling resides in the simplicity of the every day, in the stories of the relatable and familiar. These stories shape our perspectives, influence…

An Explorer’s Guide to Change Fatigue

In the uncharted territories of 2024 and beyond, the only constant is change. The weariness of change fatigue sets in as explorers tire on a perpetual voyage of discovery. The landscapes of transformation seem boundless, leaving us pondering when the journey will end and we can rest. Fear not! We'll unfurl the sails of change…

Problem Personas: The Paradox of Research in Design

In the realm of human-centred design, we face a paradox. We listen to stories brimming with emotions and experiences during the research phase. Yet, as we synthesise these narratives into user personas, the original stories often dissipate, leaving behind mere shadows of their former richness. This became evident nine years ago during my initial training…

Better Design Outcomes: Character, Insights and Customer Experience

Acting is about telling the truth. This can seem counterintuitive, considering the costumes, makeup and sets that go into the average play or series. It is carefully constructed and fabricated. And yet, if the performances aren't convincing, an audience will tune out or walk away if it doesn't feel authentic. Acting is a powerful medium…

Crafting Strategic Narratives: Empowering Authentic Communication Through Respectful Storytelling

Strategic narratives are tools that communication professionals use to align key messages to the goals a group or organisation is working towards. Using authentic stories of individuals to bring those key messages to life ensures that all messages are relatable and illustrate the goals an organisation is working towards in ways that its audience will understand.